Machine for packaging tobacco and the like



- April 13, 1925.

J. c. THOM MACHINE FOR PACKAGING TOBACCO AND THE LIKE Filed Jan.

3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR L20 20 FY Q um 19 April 13,1926. 1,580,867

' J. C. THOM MACHINE FOR PACKAGING TOBACCO AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 2. 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Aim] 13, 1926.

7 J. c. THOM I MACHINE FOR PACKAGING TOBACCO AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 2. 1925 3 Shets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR .fi/was 6 72/0.

Patented Apr. 13, 1926.

JAM-Es e. THOM, O CHICAGO, ILLINoIa-Asei NQR To e'oMBINA'MoN MAUI-ENE COM-- LSBQM? PANY, 6F ivais'wiomi, N. Y, A oolm'omltfiioii UFDELAWAREQ MACI-IIfiE FOR PACKAGING m'ciBAooo. Km) TEE LIKE.

Applicai'cien' filed. January 2, 1925. Serial No. 130.

To all whom it 172/6111] oo-m'eim: I

Be it known that I, {ii-wires i. Team, a

citizen of the United Sm les,- z-ninli-esitl'ent of flging Tobaeeo: and the likeyo'f which the In HIV-C-U3G11dil1 a) liez1tion, Ser. No.

lo luli, iileclDee, l 1924,41 method of pack aging is (li.

'rihei'l mill olii'iiiiell; wherein die 0nd or top-oi {he ihnel. Wrappeboi? EL package 1 oi? tobacco, candy or: the like, 15' elose'd in:

such lnmini' 21ml refolded inie original =ilorh'iutioh.

This result is obtained by forming iii ihe end of ihewrapper,which is a tubular slimetuii'e, a number of pleats, arch Fight iliiilig'ib huriy in coi'itoi'u' with itshypothenuse radial to the axis of the piiclmge, Quid eon'iieete'il by Fsef't'oi Shaped "plane-poi'i'ions in :a eon'in'ioi'i plane-.urul in the plume-i the closed end; the pleats (liveiiging at equal an and pressed down into the plane of the elosecl eikh-eo that eaeh hips uponthe preuedilig pie-Lt.

The plea cs' are mosh eaSily foi'iiiod by creasing the pz'i;

' to he of ihe' puck go, While ling the mziiei'iul iii ll'i'e alteiniite spaces *nizh e crease lines into :th'e'right :ti 'i other pie; s ahove mentioned. The pleats are :14 o a pi'essing 1210mm, which 1112. if cl :1 sl'ighb amuhnmox 'eiineiit in the illh'lliCll i is'cleeii'eil the piezits Amebje'i-t of the jii'esent inv piwj isien 0in maohihe for hieehimieiil-ly ioi'ming the? se'veml opera'tleiisqn qi'ience, thereby to turn out filiishecl 'puele age at 'eachoperation.

Another object is the provi' 'o'n ('if i iimchine wherein the plea tin'g ie done by selected miinh'er of folcilng hiige'l's -slm'n'ltanemisly moved" from ii 1)0311101'1"parallel that it n'iziy he easily Opel-veil for shhhltancously flzitieiiing oi ironing-' the pleats as elm-y formedby theifohiling fin 'el s Another object is'to' provide a support' foi' thmpaclmge so arisangecizis i0 preventclamaji'ei tothe revenue Stamp during Lhe fioid in'g, aimlto assist the proper placing Ethereoi Miter folding.

'YVi-iih these and oihe'i' obje'ets' in View, the invention consists in construction zanil novel combination a parts fullypended hei'eiz'o, it being iiiKlSlSi'OWl iliili) varone changes in theiorm; proportion, and iinn'o'i- (lGlZEUIlS Oi 8011511*flOillOll; within ihe scope of the claims, imiy bei'esorted i0 \iiihout departing fl'oiiit'he spirit of the mwmii i'io'n.

In the drawings: 7 ='l 1'g. 1 -is-ii sideelevation oii the improved machine, with parts bisection.

with the ariis of the 'p'z'ic-kage to a ositionperpenclicuhu' thereto. 7

Xnothei' 'objreet is the PTOYISlOiLOl mechanisi'n in co'hi'iecilo'n with the iolLhng-hnge'rs B 15 r2 supporhloi :fihe 132el ageWith the fo'lclihg fingers; in operative position.

Fig. 3-15 side elevationof the with the itopizpzi-rtially folded.

package folding fingers Wiih parts in section.

*Fig- 5 1s: i=s1i1iihiu View with the plea-is tm 'ned down.

FiguG is it'si'de elevation 0th the support Y with the parts 111'CO'IDPTGSSIDQ P'()1SJ 6lOil,-2il1li package, the -said-suppo1t including in the present mstan'ce a pli'i'n' 'g'er-l uponwvhieh the package rests. 'lhiephwgei is eil'e'i'ila'rand 0f a diameter slightly less ihan' ytlia't of the package, and it has-vertiezil movement: wlthm a cage composed of a boi'ion'i pla'te 01' head 2- and stews:

The bottom plate Q-mete upon a-euitable talole 4, which extends 1 laterall from {L Wall or mixer-support, indicated at 5', mid the Sta-Ve 3 are secured co-the edge of theplate 2, 'in any suitable ma nneiyas imvirrsmnce by'serews 6, the edge 01 the plate being notched or recessed -to' receive the sfa'ves,

wile-scribed I hereinzniter, illustrated 1n the:lie-compoflying; chmvin gs, and pointed out iii-the claims" 2113- is a vertical eeotionthrough-the:

Cir

which are spaced apart slightly from each other, as clearly shown.

One of the staves indicated at 3 is hinged to the plate 2 as indicated at 7 instead of being rigidly connected therewith, so that the said stave may swing away from the axis of the cage at its upper end. The plunger 1 has connected therewith a rod 8, which extends through registering openings in the plate 2 and table 4-, and is engaged by operating mechanism to be described, for moving the same vertically.

A folding finger 9 is supported at the top of each stave, the fingers being hinged.

to the sta-ves as indicated at 10. These fingers are arranged to swing from the position of Fig. 6 to that of Fig. 2, and they are sector shaped so that when in such last named position they will cover substantially the upper end of the cage.

That is the upper or inner ends of the fingers are beveled, so that each will fit between two adjacent fingers when in horizontal position, with a slight space between adjacent beveled walls, sutficient to receive a double thickness of paper. ing fin or wing 11 is provided at the beveled edges of each finger, the wings being substantially V-shaped as shown, and decreasing in height from the point of the finger outward. The adjacent wings of adjacent fingers cooperate to form between them the pleats to be later described.

Each finger has its lower or outer end bent outward slightly as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, and the said end of each finger is counterweighted as shown at 12, so that normally the fingers occupy the position of Figs. 1 and 6. They are moved inwardly by means of a ring 13 which encircles the cage, and is movedvertically by mechanism to be described. The outward bend or angular portion of each finger is sutlicient to insure that when the ring 13 moves upward, it will engage the inner face of the finger, thereby to swing the lower end outward.

Each of the fingers 9 is reinforced by a longitudinal rib 14 on its outer face and near its upper end, the ribs extending from the points of the fingers about half their length. The finger connected to the stave 3 has two ribs 1 1 which are arranged at opposite sides of a slot 15 extending longitudinally of the finger, and the stave to which the finger is connected has a cam plate 16 on its outer face which moves in a radial notch 17 in the ring 18.

The plunger 8 is moved by means of a hand lever 18 pivoted to the fixed support 5, and having a loop or slot through which the plunger rod extends. Stop collars 19 are arranged on the rod above and below the lever, so that the rod moves with the lever. A pair of rods 20 is connected with the ring 13, and the rods extend through openings An upstandin the table 4:, to a connection with a yoke 21 at their lower ends. The rods are adjustably connected with the yoke, which has a bearing or hub 22 at its center, through which the rod 8 slides.

A hand lever 23 is pivoted to the fixed support 5 below the yoke and the lever has loop or slot through which the rod passes. The lever engages the lower end of the hub, which may be moved vertically by means of the lever to move the ring 13. Stop collars 21 and 25 are secured on the rods 20 above and below the table 4-, to limit the move ment of the ring.

i1. pressing plunger 26 is mounted above the package support. The plunger 26 is pivoted to a hand lever 27 which in turn is pivoted to the fixed support 5, and a spring 28 is provided for holding the lever and the plunger elevated in the position shown in Fig. 1.

In operation the package to be wrapped indicated at 29, of cylindrical form, and usually held in a can 80 or other cylindrical container of sheet metal or the like, is set upon the plunger, within the cage, as clearly shown in Fig. l. The plunger 1 is elevated so that the open end of the tube which is the inner wrapper of the package extends above the cage. That is the package should be in such a position that the top of the container 30 should be level or nearly so with the top of the cage.

The revenue stamp which is arranged to enclose the package, is placed in the container 30 before the package is inserted. The end of the stamp extends above the top of the container, and after the wrapping is complete, it is secured diametrically of the top of the package. In order to prevent injury to the end of the stamp during the folding, and to prevent folding" thereof with the top of the tube the end of the stamp is bent down outside of the can 30, and the can is so placed in the cage that the depending end of the stamp registers with the stave 8 This stave is shown in Figs. 1 and 6, swings outward when the ring 18 is down, because of the excess weight at its upper end, and the notch 17 of the ring permits a considerable outward swing.

l t hen the package has been properly posi tioned, the ring 13 is lifted by means of the hand lever 23. As the ring moves upward, the plate 16 engages the notch, and the upper end of the stave 3 is swung into vertical position. Further upward movement of the ring swings the lower ends of the folding fingers outward, and they are moved from the position of Fig. 1 to that of Fig. 2, forming in the open end of the tube or bag a number of radial pleats 31, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

Since the folding fingers are similar, the pleats are also similar and similarly arrangeddiverging from the axis-of the package at equal angles. In effect the folding fingers formin the open top of the tube or bag a number of pairs of radialcrease lines.

lVith the-members of each pair parallel, the material between the members forms the pleat. I

The fins or wings 11 cooperate to flatten or iron the pleats, and when the ring 3 is lowered and the fingers swing outward, the pleats are of the shape shown in Fig. 3.

The pleats may be flattened by imparting a slight" angular movement to the package whenthe parts are in the position of Fig. 2, but preferably the plunger 26 is used. This plunger not only flattens the pleats. and causes them to lie in the same direction, each lapping upon the succeeding, but it also slightly depresses the folded: top as shown in Figs, 6 and aeoentuating' the fold-line, which is the hinge between the top and the side wall ofthe wrapper.

In order to use the plunger 26 the package is liftedas shown inFigfi to thelevel of" the upper endsof the folding fingers, by means of the plunger- 1:. The revenue-stamp may now be arranged on the top ofthe package, and the cover of the can placed:

The dropping ofthe plunger 1 andthe re-V lease of" the lever 27 restores thepa-rts to their normal position.

It will be noticedreferring to Figs. Sand .1-. that the folding fingers. do 'notentirely flatten the right triangular fold, a portion of the folds at the right angle, and opposite the hypothenuse remaining unfiattened. 'ihese portions o-f the folds are conicahand they contact as clearly; shown in the said figures; \Vhen the-folds are brought into contact with the plunger, because of this contact they all fold in one direction. The folding andflattemngmay be aided by 1111- parting a slight angular movement to the iacka 'e as above i'nentioned or to the plunger.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the. class described, means to fold the open end, of a tube of paper or the like into similar-similarly arranged radial pleats, includinga set of folding fingers, pivoted in a common plane about a common center to swing toward the center into the common plane, the engaging faces of the fingers plane, andtheadjacent side edges of the adjacent fingers plane and parallel H 2. In a machine of the class described, means to fold the open end of a tube of paper or the like-into similar similarly arranged radial pleats, including a set of folding fingers, pivoted in a common plane about a common center to swing toward the center into the common plane, and normally counter-weighted to a position substantially perpendicular to the common plane, the engaging faces of the fingers plane, and the adjacent side. edges of the adjacent fingers plane and parallel.

3. In a machine of the class described, means to fold the open end ofa tube of paper or the like into similar, similarly arranged radial pleats, said means including folding fingers mounted to swing from a position substantially parallel with the axis of the tube into substantially the same plane, and a tubular cage toenclose the paper tube, the fingers pivoted to the cage.

4t. In a machine of the class described, means to fold the open end of a tube of paper or the like into similar, similarly arranged radial pleats, said means'including folding fingers mounted to swing from a position substantially parallel with the axis ofthe tube into substantially the same plane, and-a tubular cage to enclose the paper tube, the lingers pivoted to the cage, the cage in cluding vertical staves spaced apart angularly, one of said staves pivoted at the bot tom of the cage to swing outwardly at its top with the folding finger pivoted thereto.

In a machine of the class described, means. to fold the open end of a tube of paper or the like into similar, similarly an ranged radial pleats, said means including folding fingers mounted to swing from a position substantially parallel with the axis offhe tube into-substantially the same plane,

anda tubular cage to enclose the paper tube,

the fingers pivoted to the cage, the cage including vertical slaves spaced apart angularly, one of said stavcs pivoted at the bottom of the cage to swing outwardly at its top with the folding finger pivoted thereto, and means for first moving the said stave to inward position, and for afterwards sin'iultaneously swinging the folding fingers into folding position.

G -In a machine of the class described, means to fold the open end of a'tnbe of paper or the like into similar, similarly arranged radial pleats, said means including folding fingers mounted'to swing from a position substantially parallel with the axis of the tube into substantially the same plane,

and a tubular cage 'to enclose thepaper tube,

the fingers pivoted to the cage, a plunger '1n the cage for supportmg the tube, and'means tomove the plunger.

'"I ftl l b i. n a macnnc o t (MASS (85011 no, a

holder for a substantially cylindrical package of tobacco or the like, including a cage,

folding fingers to foldthe open end ofthev package hinged to the top of the cage, a portion of the cage carrylngafolding finger mountedto swing and normally urged to' swing out of alinement with the remainder of the cage for the purpose specified, means for simultaneously operating the folding fingers, and means whereby said means will swing the said portion of the cage into alinement prior to the operation of the folding fingers.

8. In a machine of the class described, a substantially cylindrical cage, composed of vertical staves, folding fingers hinged to the tops of the staves, and means for simultaneously moving the fingers to hmizontal position thereby to fold the top of a tube within the cage, one of the stavcs hinged to the cage to swing outward at the top thereof and moved to normal vertical position by the folding finger operating means.

9. In a machine of the class described, a substantially cylindrical cage, composed of vertical staves, folding fingers hinged to the tops of the staves, and means for simultaneously moving the fingers to horizontal position thereby to fold the top of a tube within the cage, and a supporting plunger for the tube to be folded movable vertically in the cage.

10. In a machine of the class described, a substantially cylindrical cage, composed of vertical staves, folding fingers hinged to the tops of the staves, means for simultaneously moving the fingers to horizontal position thereby to fold the top of a tube within the cage, a supporting plunger for the tube to be folded movable vertically in the cage, and an ironing plunger supported for movement toward and from the top of the cage.

11. In a machine of the class described, a cage for enclosing a substantially cylindrical wrapper having its upper end open, folding fingers hinged to the top of the cage to fold the end of the wrapper and counterweighted to normally swing into inoperative position, and a common means for simultaneously moving all of the fingers into folding position.

12. In a machine of the class described, a cage for enclosing a substantially cylindrical wrapper having its upper end open, folding fingers hinged to the top of the cage to fold the end of the wrapper and counterweighted to normally swing into inoperative position, and a common means for simultaneously moving all of the fingers into folding position, the operative portions of said fingers bevelled to fit one alongside the other.

13. In a machine of the class described, a cage for enclosing a substantially cylindrical wrapper having its upper end open, folding fingers hinged to the top of the cage to fold the end of the wrapper and counter-weighted to normally swing into i11- operative position, and a common means for simultaneously moving all of the fingers into folding position, the operative portions of said fingers bevelled tofit one alongside the other, and each having vertical pressing vanes at the bevelled edges.

14. In a machine of the class described, a cage for enclosing a substantially cylindrical wrapper having its upper end open, folding fingers hinged to the top of the cage to fold the end of the wrapper and counter-- weighted to normally swing into inoperative position, and a common means for simultane ously moving all of the lingers into folding position, a portion of the wall of the cage hinged and counter-weighted to normally swing outward at its upper end and carrying one of the folding lingers, and means whereby the initial movement of the finger operating means will swing said portion inward.

15. In a machine of the class described, means to fold the open end of a tubular bag, including a plurality of folding fingers, hinged in a circle with the axis of the bag as a center to swing from a plane transverse to the bag axis to a position substantially parallel therewith, the fingers having plane sector shaped paper engaging faces.

16. In a machine of the class described, means to fold the open end of a tubular bag, including a plurality of folding fingers, hinged in a circle with the axis of the bag as a center to swing from a plane transverse to the bag axis to a position substantially parallel therewith, said fingers counterweighted to normally occupy said last named position.

17. In a machine of the class described, means to fold the open end of a tubular bag, including a plurality of folding fingers, hinged in a circle with the axis of the bag as a center to swing from a plane transverse to the bag axis to a position substantially parallel therewith, said fingers counterweighted to normally occupy said last named position, and means to simultaneously move the said fingers to the first named position.

18. In a machine of the class described, means to fold the open end of a tubular bag, including a plurality of folding fingers, a circular support for the fingers, adapted to encircle the bag, the fingers hinged to the support to swing from a plane transverse to the axis of the support, to substantially parallel therewith, said fingers of isosceles triangular shape, and having the hinge connections at the bases thereof.

Signed at Chicago in the county of Cook and State of Illinois this 27th day of Decemher, A. D. 1924.

JAMES C. THOM. 

